Assistant Professor of Practice, Architecture

Assistant Professor of Practice, Architecture

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Work type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Senior management: Architecture, Arts, and Design
Department: School of Architecture
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Categories: Architecture / Construction / Planning, Instructional / Teaching Faculty

The Virginia Tech School of Architecture, housed in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice, based at the Washington Alexandria-Architecture Center (WAAC). The WAAC is an intimate educational community of upper‑level undergraduates, Master of Architecture students, as well as students pursuing advanced degrees in Urban Design (MS) and the History and Theory of Architecture (MS/PhD).

WAAC faculty enjoy working closely with active, dedicated colleagues and committed students to educate the next generation of architects, architectural theorists and historians as leaders in our fields. In addition to connections with the main campus in Blacksburg, WAAC is a part of the growing Virginia Tech presence in Northern Virginia, in close proximity to Falls Church, Arlington, and our new, state‑of‑the‑art facility in Potomac Yards, Alexandria.

The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Tech, a land‑grant university, affirms a collective responsibility to encourage, build, and embrace the cultural diversity of the world. We do this by acknowledging and addressing our past, recognizing our current responsibility, and acting in the interests of building and sustaining communities that are safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. We are committed to continually and proactively engaging in these efforts for the benefit of our students, staff, and faculty across the college, and the communities around the world we aim to serve.

The University’s motto:
Ut Prosim.

The School of Architecture emphasizes learning through making as well as experimentation, plus disciplinary and professional engagement combined with cross‑disciplinary outreach to develop future architects who will holistically integrate diverse ideas while adeptly responding to constantly shifting challenges within the profession of architecture. The large School has campuses in Blacksburg, Washington‑Alexandria and Riva San Vitale, city labs in Chicago and Boston, and study abroad programs throughout Europe, as well as many degree programs and research centers.

The primary responsibilities of this position include teaching Integrative Building Design Studio and courses related to building systems and structures. These courses will be taught to students from a variety of backgrounds, including upper‑level undergraduates and advanced first professional degree graduate students. All faculty are involved in mentoring thesis projects. We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong interest in mentoring students as emerging professionals.

The successful candidate will be capable of connecting exploratory design and innovative practice through teaching, scholarship, creative practice, and engagement with the city. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to architecture and human well‑being at multiple scales across the built environment. Qualified candidates will be expected to rigorously engage and advance theoretical, practical, and productive expertise.

Areas of interest and expertise at Washington Alexandria Architecture Center have included histories and theories of architectural representation and intersections among landscape architecture, architecture, and the city. Experience in interdisciplinary practice and an interest in experimental tools of representation and communication will be prioritized. The ideal candidate will foreground the challenges and opportunities at the intersections of theory and practice.

This position is a full‑time nine‑month appointment effective August 2026 with an initial term of three years and the opportunity for renewal.

• Architecture license
• Practice experience
• Teaching experience
• Interest and competency in tools of representation, analysis, and simulation